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Small Molecule Antiviral Agents Against Flaviviruses

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Army
Contract: W81XWH-12-C-0028
Agency Tracking Number: A2-5177
Amount: $996,931.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: A11-106
Solicitation Number: 2011.2
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2011
Award Year: 2013
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2013-07-22
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2015-12-22
Small Business Information
300 George Street, Ste 309
New Haven, CT 06511
United States
DUNS: 000000000
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Michel Ledizet
 Senior Research Scientist
 (203) 503-0383
 mledizet@L2Dx.com
Business Contact
 Martin Mattessich
Title: Managing Director
Phone: (203) 494-5288
Email: mmattessich@L2Dx.com
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

Flaviviruses, and dengue viruses in particular, are significant human pathogens. No vaccine or specific therapeutic agent is available against West Nile and dengue viruses. Our goal is to develop peptide-derived therapeutics active against West Nile virus, dengue viruses, and other flaviviruses. In Phase I of this project, we identified several candidate tetrapeptides able to neutralize multiple flaviviruses in in-vitro assays. These very short peptides have a molecular weight below 500, affording them the favorable drug characteristics of small molecules. In Phase II, we will further investigate and optimize these hit peptides against flaviviruses. We will systematically vary the composition of our initial hits to obtain variants with greater efficacy. We will also confirm the mechanism of action of the antiviral peptides by verifying that they block the entry of viruses into host cells. Successful completion of these Phase II experiments will place us in an excellent position to initiate testing in animal models of flavivirus diseases during Phase III of this project.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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